In the past 2 years of my life I have been blessed with many different types of friendships. Some have remained consistent and others have fallen apart. Although it's sometimes painful, the friendships that have been lost over the years are the ones that I have learned the best lessons from. The struggles and disagreements that come with friendships have both brought me to be the type of friend I am today. I have gone through one-sided, exhausting and over complicated friendships that left me unhappy and bitter in the moment. I wouldn't even realize how I was feeling or acting until someone else pointed it out to me. That's when I realized that friendships, although they should take work, should not make you feel like you're trying too hard to keep them up.
I began to have this epiphany when I entered college and met people who I enjoyed being around and I could tell that they genuinely enjoyed being around me too. I didn't feel like it was a chore to talk to them or hang out with them because I knew that it was a choice and not an obligation. I think that is what has made my friendships in college so strong because I was starting to act like an adult when it came to making decisions on who entered into my life. I wasn't looking for the drama or the popularity. I was looking for people who I genuinely connected with and who wanted to be around me for me. I didn't feel like it was important to put on a fake front or try to make friends with someone I didn't click with because in the end, I had finally figured out what I wanted in a friend and I made sure that I didn't get anything less than that.
I wanted someone who would drop everything and run to taco bell to get me cinnamon twists at midnight when I was hurt by a guy. Someone who would tell me I deserve to be treated better and to tell me to stick up for myself. Someone who would binge watch "One Tree Hill" with me in our dorm room while eating quesadillas when studying for finals got too intense. Someone who I could talk to for hours and get the best advice from. Someone who genuinely loved me and wanted the best for me.
I sit here as I'm typing this and I'm so extremely happy with the friendships that are present in my life right now. Surrounding yourself with people who lift you up is so important when we live in a world that is constantly trying to tear us down. Being confident and happy in your friendships leads to a healthier and happier life. Not having to worry about pleasing people 24/7 is such a relief. Trust me, when you're true to yourself and the people around you, you will be a much happier person and that's something you'll be able to see on the outside and feel on the inside.
